San Diego Chargers

THE NFL

BRASH ROOKIE Ryan Leaf was benched on Monday after yet another poor performance, and the Chargers (3-6) gave the starting job to Craig Whelihan, the only other quarterback on their active roster.

The switch begins with Sunday's home game against the Baltimore Ravens.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

COACH BRUCE Coslet said there will be no changes in the quarterback rotation for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Neil O'Donnell remains the starter - even though the Bengals are 2-7 - and Jeff Blake of Sanford is the backup - even though third-stringer Paul Justin engineered the Bengals' only touchdown in a 24-11 loss at Jacksonville this past Sunday.

Also on Monday, Bengals linebacker James Francis had arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage in his right knee and will miss the next two or three games.

NEW YORK JETS

TWENTY-ONE FANS were arrested on minor marijuana charges by undercover state troopers during Sunday's game between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. All were freed on their own recognizance and escorted from Giants Stadium after being fingerprinted and photographed.